The pathogenesis of severe pulmonary hypertension seems to be related to inflammatory response in diseased sites. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has been reported to play a role in the development of congestive heart failure. In this immunological response, activation and migration of leukocytes including macrophages to the inflammatory region are important factors. We hypothesized that the severity of pulmonary hypertension may be related to MCP-1, which is thought to be upregulated by blood pressure or shear stress in pulmonary vasculature as well as by immunological and inflammatory reactions in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Circulating levels of MCP-1, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured by sandwich ELISA in 14 patients with CTEPH. The plasma level of MCP-1 was significantly correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance. In IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, on the other hand, there was no correlation between cytokines and pulmonary hemodynamics. Pathological specimens obtained from the patients with CTEPH undergoing thromboendarterectomy demonstrated immunoreactivity of MCP-1 in endothelium, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages within neointima in the hypertensive large elastic pulmonary artery. We conclude that MCP-1 is upregulated in the remodeling of pulmonary arteries in close association with increased pulmonary vascular resistance in CTEPH.

The cDNA microarray technique was useful for investigation of the transcription profiles during the development of AAA. Our results indicate that oxidative stress may play a pivotal role in the pathologic progression of AAA.

Pulmonary endarterectomy had sustained favorable effects on long-term survival. High pulmonary vascular resistance was associated with in-hospital death, and postoperative mean pulmonary arterial pressure was an independent predictor of adverse events.